These properties are either coming into the MLS in the next few weeks or will not be marketed by the agent in MLS. For an opportunity to view them prior to the rest of the market, please contact me. There are also a few notes about properties that buyers are looking for – do you have a property to sell? There is also a place “for temporary rent” – if you or someone you know is planning a remodel soon!

This is a great article that was brought to us by James Dixon, an architect who has given presentations at Paragon in the past. Enjoy!

Why should you spend any money on your home at this time? Well, that’s a good question and here’s one answer:

You can get a great amount of work for your money and increase your ROI by taking advantage of the current economy and a new approach to home renovation. This is the time for opportunity.

People are spending more time in their homes and are spending money improving what they have; there is more of a “stay in” rather than “go out” mentality. Here are ten ideas that reflect that mentality and were built for $100,000 or less, some for much less. These projects were built in San Francisco and the immediate area so the pricing may be lower in your area. However, wherever you live, these projects show that re-design is within reach at any budget.

Generally speaking, 4-5 months supply of inventory is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers; less than 4 months is considered a sellers’ market; and more than 5 months is considered a buyers’ market.

By these definitions (as well as others), the home market in many of San Francisco’s neighborhoods is now a strong buyers’ market – which means more choice, less competitive bidding, increased price reductions, more price negotiation. This doesn’t mean that the best-value homes aren’t still often selling quickly.

• 563 active SFD listings will be joined by over 250 new SFD listings for a total ofover 800:less than 1 out of 8 will go contingent sale (and most of them at the low end).

• 674 active Condo listings will be joined by over 350 new Condo listings for atotal of over 1000:less than 1 out of 10 will go contingent.

• 241 active TIC listings will be joined by over 150 new TIC listings for a total ofabout 400:about 1 in 16 will go contingent.

• 234 2-4 Unit listings will be joined by over 80 new 2-4 U listings for a total of over300:about 1 in 19 will go contingent.

The average days on market for active properties range from about a 100 days to over 130 days (and growing). Lots of days on market; incredible numbers of price reductions; a small number selling – though many of those selling still sell relatively quickly.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The coast-to-coast fire sale in the U.S. housing market appears at long last to have caught a bit of a bid.

Yes, residential real estate remains in the throes of the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Yes, home prices are the lowest in six years and still falling. And yes, it still takes three quarters of a year to sell a house.